Brownfields Development

Our lawyers have been at the forefront of the development of regulations for Brownfields redevelopment programs at the state and federal levels.

We have represented many stakeholders in pursuing quick and cost effective remediation at some of the largest Brownfields sites across the country. Our team helps clients navigate federal, state and local agency requirements, to ensure that they are released from past and future residual liabilities. We also work on obtaining land use entitlements and other permits, and assess the environmental liability risks involved in these transactions. Our team also works with clients on risk management strategy to protect their assets, including structuring insurance provisions for future transactions of the redeveloped properties.

Represented stakeholders in two large Brownfields redevelopment projects: the purchase of portions of a 700-acre steel mill and the sale of the largest single-story manufacturing facility in the United States

Representing a coalition of leading Illinois companies, including its largest utilities, in the development of Illinois’s Brownfields cleanup program regulations

Served on the USEPA Federal Advisory Committee to develop regulations implementing important provisions of the Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002

Negotiating numerous Prospective Purchaser Agreements (PPAs) and comfort letters with USEPA and several state agencies, including the first PPA in the country to provide releases for RCRA hazardous waste liability

Negotiating the terms of dozens of environmental insurance policies to effectively manage known and unknown environmental risks

Representing the National Brownfield Associations in federal rulemaking proceedings and the development of the Illinois State Chapter